Pope at Audience: Work is essential for our growth in holiness

by | Jan 14, 2022 | Accompaniment, Catechesis, Pope Francis, St. Joseph, The Holy Family, Work and Prayer

In his catechesis at the General Audience focusing on Saint Joseph, Pope Francis looks at Joseph’s life as a worker, and says the dignity of labour is essential for our human development and our growth in holiness. By Vatican News staff writer In his catechesis, Pope Francis looked at how the evangelists Matthew and Mark refer to Joseph as a “carpenter”, from the Greek term tekton, which referred to a generic qualification of those working as woodworkers and craftsmen in construction. He pointed out how it was a hard job, requiring strength but not generating great earnings. Looking at Saint Joseph helps remind us of all workers today, especially those who do grueling work in mines and certain factories, the Pope pointed out. He especially recalled those who are exploited and children who are “forced to work and those who rummage among the trash in search of something useful to trade.” This reality also brings to mind those who are out of a job and suffering greatly because of it, especially families struggling to survive, he added. “In these times of pandemic, many people have lost their jobs — and some, crushed by an unbearable burden, reached the point of...